The Effect of Simulated Microgravity on Differentiation of Porcine Blood-Derived Vascular Stem Cells

The negative effects of space flight on cardiovascular health of astronauts have been demonstrated and documented over many years. Endothelial cells (ECs) play an important role in regulating weightlessness-induced cardiovascular dysfunction. This project seeks to study the effect of microgravity on the differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) into ECs and the downstream functions of the differentiated cells. Initial exposure of EPCs to microgravity indicated an inhibition of migratory, proliferative, and antithrombogenic capacity of the differentiated ECs. However, our results indicate a potential recovery of proliferative and antithrombogenic functions on prolonged exposure to microgravity.